My Top 5 Platform Wedges of The Summer

'Tis the season for shoes!

Summer is not my favorite season. In fact, I actually hate it. I hate the weird looking bugs that seem to come out of nowhere and I hate the frequent hot and humid days. However, I do like the summer for one reason: SHOES.

Summer allows a footwear fashionista like moi to pull out all the stops. Sandals and pumps, oh my! I'm so happy that one of the current shoe trends happens to be platform wedges. And as the self-proclaimed Wedge Wizard, I've decided to put together a list of my top 5 must-buy platform wedges of the season!

*The list is in random order.


1. Hoofkin, $69.98 Aldoshoes.com. What type of countdown would this be if I didn't have my beloved shoe store addiction ALDO?


2. Smith by Jeffrey Campbell, $124.95 Solestruck.com. All hail the platform wedge master maker Jeffrey Campbell. If you don't own a pair of JC shoes yet, then you're missing out.


3. Darneshia Sandal, $108 French Connection. The classic Espadrille! If you can only have one platform wedge this summer, make it an Espadrille. This material never goes out of style.


4. Enigma, $62 Lori's Shoes. I find that a shoe with cork material in the heel is usually light on the feet.


5. Daybreak, $89.95 Steve Madden. I love, love this shoe. It's a perfect combination of a shoe that is light on the feet and is on trend with zipper detailing.


XOXO

Channeling Jackie O

As I slipped on my sweet potato-colored shift dress, gold flower pearl earrings, bone-colored peep toe platform pumps, pearl/gold hair clip and elephant pin, I couldn't help but be astonished at the fact that my junior year of college was coming to a close. I thought, "Could this really be happening? ... I'm forgetting my ring and bracelet!" -- Ha. No. -- I actually thought, "Could this really be happening? ... I'm a summer away from finishing my college career (unless I decide to go to Grad school) and I'm preparing for my 2nd to last Student Government Association formal as an undergrad." Gallivanting around campus and basking in my new life venture as a "college kid" seemed like it was just yesterday. Freshman year, where did you go?

The formal was Friday and I decided to channel Jackie O. I've always considered my style to be inspired by the 1960's, so it felt right to don the orange frock to the left. The dress is from Target's Merona Collection, which I absolutely love. I've grown to be a big fan of the Merona brand from Target, especially the dresses. All the dresses are always classically chic and can be dressed up or dressed down.

Anyway, I paired the tangy dress with mostly gold and light-colored accessories. I didn't want to look too Halloween-like so I made sure to sport bone-colored pumps from Aldo and my bag is from Zara. The only thing I regret about the outfit is not ironing down the creases from the dresses fold. But I kind of think it adds to the primp and proper look, no? Charlotte York would be very proud...

Photos by Scarlett Hubbard

xoxo

My Open Love Letter to ALDO Shoes

Trying to carry a third of my Aldo shoe collection.

It's no secret I am an Aldo Addict. I own at least 11 pairs (and counting) of Aldo shoes. From a mix of sky-high heels, to platform wedges, to flats and my favorite knee-high boots, I LOVE Aldo. I also own one of their handbags. Almost two years later, and I am still a devoted customer. One of the main reasons I love Aldo is that the shoe selection is always delectable and fashion forward. I can honestly say that I have never spotted someone else wearing one of my shoes. The prices are reasonable and they always have my size (I'm big-footed, remember?)!

My growing obsession with Aldo began in the Summer of 2008. Heading back to school and starting my first fashion internship, I wanted a pair of shoes that would make a statement. I headed to Aldo because one of my friends worked there and suggested I give it a shot. When I entered the store, I spotted the most incredible pair of platform wedges--aka Roadtown. It was the combination of comfort and chicness that made me pour over with love and adoration for my new purchase--springing my current addiction to wedges.

Impressed by my first Aldo buy, I decided to head back to the shoe haven for a new winter-ish boot. That's when I bought my over-the-knee leather boots (!!). Always ahead of the shoe curve, Aldo had me looking like I just walked off the runway with the soon-to-be boot trend.

At one point, I even started a website devoted to Aldo Addicts. I knew I had a serious addiction when I found myself typing "aldoshoes.com" into my browser before Facebook and Twitter. Yeah. I know. I'm sick.

And as I type this post, I can't stop thinking about the shoes I want to buy. Aldo just unleashed their Spring 2010 collection and there are so many pairs I want, that I can't decide which ones I want! Oh, life decisions...

So Aldo, I have three words for you: I LOVE YOU.

xoxo

Follow me on Twitter!

Yum, Shoes!

So, Santa's little elf lied to me! I got wedged pumps from ALDO (picture below) instead of the leather wedged booties I showed you all a couple posts ago. Either way, I'm happy and had a good holiday with my fam. How was your holiday?

(Pic via: ALDO Addicts Anonymous)

HILLEARY
ALDO SHOES
$110

xoxo

My College Life Confidential

Ah, the fall 2009 semester is almost over! I can see the light at the end of the paper and project stuffed tunnel. The past couple months have been a whirl wind of experiences that spun my head in a billion circles. I've been up to my same student shenanigans but took up some recent projects I'd like to share!

In my magazine class, another student and I were in charge of a fashion photo spread. I love sprinkling fashion every where I go, so when we were delegating stories for the semester-ly mag, I jumped on the idea of a fashion story. I hoped my amazing onetime experience on a photo shoot for Seventeen would help me not make this an entire flop. The shoot turned out to be a complete success, thanks to my handy partner--er--editor in crime Matt.

Here's a look behind the scenes:

^^That's my buddy Chelsea of PinkRockCandy working the camera. She was a huge, huge help on set! She's also the Vice President of the fashion club we started on campus. It's called 'FIERCE!' because we are hooked on making our school more fashionable and well-aware of the fashion industry. The club is relatively new and we've had a successful semester. We concluded the semester with Super Model Shirley Mallmann coming to speak to the students. Read about it by clicking here. Mallmann reopened my eyes to how important models are in the fashion industry. Check out a recent video she did with Henri Bendel below. It's absolutely amazing! The Hofstra Fashion Club aka FIERCE! is growing and we hope that by the end of the spring semester, we'll be well-known on campus.

Lastly, I recently started a new site with fellow blogger Christina of Candybox. I've been thinking about this new venture for a long time and I'm glad I finally made the step to create it. Say hello to my new baby ALDO Addicts Anonymous.

That's right, I took my ALDO addiction to a full-blown website. AAA is a picture blog of all ALDO treasures. Email us pictures of your goodies to addictedtoaldo@gmail.com!

xoxo

Wedge Wants: Feeding My ALDO Addiction

With Black Friday sales around the corner, I am looking forward to buying the shoes below. It's a done deal. They will be mine and I will wear them all the time. This will lead me one step closer to my goal of wearing nothing but ALDO shoesies for the rest of my life.

The ROSSINGNOL looks like a wearable version of the McQueen Spring 2010 heel. The ROADTOWN is a shoe I already own. I have it in black, but could use it in white. However, my size is not in stock so I guess I'll have to see about that one. If not, I've got my eyes on a pair of black flats because I am in DESPERATE need of a simple black flat. But let me shh and let you look (and possibly drool):

ROSSINGNOL
ALDO Shoes
$90.00

MINE.
BACK OFF!


ROADTOWN
ALDO Shoes
$59.98 CLEARANCE
Please get my size SOON.
Thanks.


xoxo

ALDO Addiction

I logged onto my computer yesterday morning to do some quick NY Times reading before my journalism quiz, and look what ALDO sent me in my e-mail! HOW DID THEY KNOW I WAS OBSESSED WITH THEIR SHOES AND WEDGES?!

And yes, I still use AOL mail.

It's Destiny!
Destiny.

xoxo